Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-22
INCIDENTS OF THE WAR.
Capt. Wheaton Relates His Personal
"Reminiscences.

"Reminiscences.
Capt. John F. Wheaton read last night
before large invited audience In ArmOry
Hall his personal "reminiscences of the
Chatham Artillery during the war from
1861 to 1865. The "reminiscences were in
diary form, and the chronicles OF the
company's service during the four years
OF civil war was interspersed with &C.
casiODal humorous incidents which con-
vulsed the hearers.
The company's first service was at Fort
| Pulaski, under Capt. Claghorn. where it
was ordered Jan. 3, 1861, by GOV. Brown.
| For three months the company had re-
markably easy thing of 1t. The mem bers
| lived well, and hilarity and convlyiality
ruled. May l, 1861, the company, having
been relieved at Fort Pulaski, celebrated
| its seYentY-hfth anniversary with enthu-
siasm, and made the largest parade in it's
history. July 81 the company, numbering
forty-eight men, rank and file, was mus
| tered into the service of the Confederate
States. August l it was sent back TO
Fort Pulaski. Shortly afterwards 1t was
ordered to the Isle Of Hope.
On May 16, 1862, the company reorgan-
lied and reelected Capt. Claghorn, and
oergt. Wheaton was made junior lieu
| tenant. When Skidaway Island was
evacuated by the Confederates the Chat
hams changed from Isle of Hope to Cedar
Hammock. June IL the company was
ordered to Causton's Bluff, which was I'M
healthy, and many of the men became
| sick. Aug. Is it returned to
White Bluff. Dec. l Capt. Claghorn
resigned and Lieut.. Wheaton was pro-
NOTED to the captaincy. July 8, 1868, the
company was ordered to Charleston, and
from that time on it had nothing but hard
work. ON the night of July 16 the Chat
hams got into heavy fro aud saw hot
service. Severe fighting followed around
| James Island at frequent intervals. On
| Nov. 4, while at Fort johnson, the COM
pany was visited by President Jeffer-
son Davis. Feb. s, 1864, the
company was ordered back to Savannah.
| In about week it was ordered on to
Lake City, Fla, and in that State got into
| another sharp fight, but came out victori-
| Gus. The Confederates had nlnety-tive
| killed In the engagement and S35 wounded,
and the enemy lost 400 killed and LOGO
wounded.
About May l the Chathams were back
at Charleston and under heavy Smelling
from gun.bOats, TO which they replied.
| While on James Island the Company's
| rations were of corn meal, cob and grain
ground up together, with molasses aud
| bacon.
While at Chisolmville in the latter
part OF December, the company heard
| that Savannah had been evacuated, and
| it was sad news. On Feb. 10 the COM
| pany was advancing on Columbia. When
within 800 yards of the State House Capt
| Wleaton was informed that the enemy
was crossing the river, and that the
streets of the city were even then full Of
soldiers. The Galatians lost no time In
| starting around to join the Confederate
forces. The company soon found that it
was cut off, and one of the toughest
marches it had during the war began
them Everything that could be dis
| pensed with was thrown away, and after
AZ hours hard marching the main force
was reached, although not without the
capture of ten men by the enemy.
From Charlottoe the company was Or
dered to Raleigh, 10 miles away,
over roads almost impossible SO
muddy were they. On the march
| the Chathams were halted one night
near seminary. The professors eX-
tended an invitation to the mem oers
| of the company to visit the scnO0l. After
the visit it was difficult to tel whether
! the young ladies were most inclined 10
| iOin the Chathams or the company to en-
! ter the seminary, In 1860 the retreat was
begun from Smithyille toward Georgia.
| The surrender was at Greens borO, about
| May l. The officers were allowed
to retain their side arms, and
| the company kept their mules
TO transport them back home. When
they got to Hamburg, opposite Augusta,
| alter march of 800 miles, Capt. Wheaton
| crossed over to Augusta and reported 10
the Federal General in command. He
ordered the mules turned over. Capt.
Wsaaton returned to his men and re.
| ported. 1t was decided TO instantly and
! formally disband the company, which
| was done.
Capt. wheaton concluded by saying:
| al those mules have ever been demanded
| Ihave not heard oft. | cannot say what
| became OF them, and leHe that for others
| in this hall TO answer"
The "reminiscences were listened to with
| evident interest and were received with
! lonu applanSp